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Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13

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Scripture

As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good.

 Observation

Paul commands the Thessalonians to stay away from believers who refuse to work for a living. Paul had told them to imitate his live which was far from idle. His attitude was that he should not be a burden to anyone. If people do not work they should not eat.

 Those who are idle must settle down and work for a living. They must never tire of doing good in the name of the Lord.

 Application

It is fairly common for people to think that the Lord should provide for their needs and they should not have to work to sustain themselves. We live in a culture of entitlement in which many people, christian and otherwise, think the world owes them a living.

 Paul tells us that we must all work to support ourselves. We must not remain idle because we have a calling to work for God’s good purposes in this world.

Those who are unable to work for wages because of the economy should do voluntary work or engage in some micro-business such as growing vegetables and selling them.

 For people who are tuned into the Holy Spirit, there is always something productive that can be done.

 Prayer

Lord God help me to be fruitful for you today. Amen.

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Reflection on Isaiah 65:17-25

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Scripture

Look! I am creating a new heaven and a new earth, and no one will even think of the old ones any more.

Observation

the Lord is bringing about a new heaven and a new earth, a whole new creation. In this new state of being, there will be no weeping or mourning. Babies will no longer die, and even adults will live past 100 years.

 There will be no more loss at the hands of enemy invaders, and everyone will live in their own home enjoying the fruit of their land.

 Even nature will be different wolves and lambs will feed together and lions will eat hay. This is all God’s promise.

 Application

When God intervenes, everything changes. We know that this is true and we look forward to the future life when all aspects of sin and death will be vanquished for ever.

 The promise is not just for the future because the Kingdom of God is here now, even if only in a muted form. We should expect these promises to be seen in our lives now to some extent.

 Death will remain as a sign of the brokenness of creation, but God does heal. Fighting and violence are everywhere but God’s peace breaks into lives in surprising ways.

 Let’s look forward to the consummation of the Kingdom, but let us also equally celebrate God’s work in the here and now.

 Prayer

Thank you Lord for the promise of a whole new creation where storms and earthquakes, sickness and violence are banished for ever. Help me also to see your goodness in the present age and to celebrate your mighty works. Amen.

 

Reflection on Luke 20:27-38

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Scripture
“So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

Observation
Some Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection from the dead, put a trick question, a hypothetical, to Jesus to prove their intellectual superiority. They put to him a situation which they suppose shows the contradictions in believing in heaven. A woman who has multiple husbands (brothers who were required under the law of Moses to provide for heirs for widows), dies childless. Whose husband will she be in the resurrection?

Jesus replies by pointing out that heaven is different to earth. It’s a different world with different needs so the present rules do not apply.

He goes on to say that if God is the God of the living, and not the dead, and if God describes Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, then clearly these people are still alive.

Application
Religion multiplies ridiculous questions because it engages the soul not the spirit. Religion is about finding the loopholes and exploiting them like an unethical lawyer, and keeping God in a safe corner.

Jesus came to set us free from this. Rather than boxing God in, Jesus calls us to taste His freedom.

No more hypotheticals trying to get our finite minds around the infinite God. Rather, let’s walk in relationship with the God of the living, and let His life free us from the constraints of religious thinking.

This is not to decry doctrine, because we need to have categories to describe our infinite Father. When doctrines become the only definition of truth, when they seek to exclude people rather than include, then we are far from the path of life.

Prayer
Lord I don’t understand the details of eternity, but I trust you enough to know that you have it worked out. Thank you that you are equipping me for heaven. Please grow your grace in me each day. Amen.

Reflection on 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17

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Scripture

So then, brothers, stand firm and hold on to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

Observation
Paul warns the Thessalonians against the teachings of those who claim the Day of the Lord has already come. No, that day will not come until the time of rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed. At that time the Lord Jesus will destroy the lawless one and all the works of satan.

Paul encourages the church of Thessalonica to stand firm in Christ in order to share in His glory.

Application
Through the ages there has been speculation about the end times and the return of Christ. Our age is no different.

Paul seems to be saying here that we cannot be confident of the details of the time of Christ’s return but we can be confident that there will be an uprisng in rebellion and that a man of lawlessness will be exposed as satan’s tool to deceive the elect.

Therefore we need to keep our eyes on Jesus and not on the time in which we live. Look to obeying Christ now, and trust Him for the details of His return and triumph over evil.

Prayer
Holy Spirit lead me into all truth. Let me stand firm in the power of your grace and never be deceived by the Evil One. Amen.

Reflection on Haggai 2:1-9

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Scripture

“I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come , and I will fill this house with glory,” says the lord Almighty.

 Observation

People are returning to Israel to rebuild Jerusalem after the Exile in Babylon.

 The Lord speaks to Haggai and tells him to go to the people and say “Do you remember the former glory of the Temple?” What they have seems to be nothing compared to what they had, but the Spirit of the Lord is still with them.

 Soon, the Lord will shake the heavens and the earth, and the temple will be rebuilt to its former glory. The silver and gold of the entire earth is the Lord’s and He will provide what is needed.

 The glory of the latter house will exceed what was formerly there and God will bring peace to his people.

 Application

When we go through difficult times we can lose sight of God’s faithfulness. We look at the surface of things and miss how God is at work underneath.

 The Israelites had returned from exile, but were discouraged by the state of the Temple. It seemed so poor and inadequate compared with what had been. The Lord reminds them that He is still with them and has never left them since the time of Moses. He will rebuild the Temple and He will restore His people.

 The Lord never leaves us. Even when we can’t see Him, He is still with us,

 Prayer

Thank you Lord for always being here. I confess that sometimes I don’t understand what you are doing, but Lord you promise you will never leave me. Amen.